Seahawks set to turn up heat

The Bobby Cunningham-coached side marks its return from a two-week break with a seven-hour bus trip to Mildura today.

Seahawks assistant coach Craig McLeod said the fourth-placed Big V side was refreshed and ready to tackle the Heat on its home court. “It is a pretty important game for us,” he said. “If we win it puts us in a good position and we believe we are capable of winning the game.”

McLeod said the Seahawks’ depth would hold them in good stead against a Mildura side which has one win from four games.

He said the Seahawks’ two imports — Tim Gainey and Sai’Quon Stone — played key roles for the side but that their evenness credited for their strong start to the season and that is how they will look to exploit the Heat.

“We have seen a couple of their (Mildura) game tapes and they have two imports and they rely heavily on them,” he said.

Seahawks development player Jeremy Bolden will make his first Big V appearance of the season.

The teenager power forward will replace veteran Simon O’Keefe, who is unavailable.

“We needed someone big to fill in and help out and get rebounds,” McLeod said.

“He is pretty well-rounded and the thing about Jeremy is he certainly competes and keeps the ball alive.”

McLeod said Stone was eager to perform in his second Big V game.

The American guard made his debut in the Seahawks’ win against Geelong Supercats — their third victory from four games — ahead of the bye and Easter break.

The Seahawks will leave Warrnambool at 10am today and are expected to arrive in Mildura at 5pm, three hours before tip off.

They have opted to return to Warrnambool after the game, rather than spending the night.